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Spinach E. coli Cases
Increase to 114 People

The Food and Drug Administration said the number of people infected by a spinach-related E. coli rose to 114, and a second death potentially related to the outbreak was being investigated.

The agency said the problem still appears to have originated in California's agricultural Salinas Valley, but didn't appear to be the result of any deliberate act. It warned consumers against eating raw spinach, whether bagged or loose, organic or not.

Two California companies, Natural Selection Foods LLC, of San Juan Bautista, and River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC, of Salinas, have recalled products. David Acheson, chief medical officer of the FDA's food center, said there's "a possibility that recall could expand."

The 114 cases of infection, the most recent of which dates from Sept. 9, have been reported in 21 states, Dr. Acheson said. They include 60 hospitalizations, 18 incidents of kidney failure, 1 confirmed death and another, apparently in Ohio, that is being investigated for a possible link to the spinach outbreak, he said.

The incident has put a spotlight on the FDA's handling of food safety, and produce in particular.